In “Installing High-Performance Windows,” the fifth episode in a series of videos on a Passivhaus project, the crew installs triple-glazed Makrowin windows from Slovakia

Watch the video

Produced by: Colin Russell and Justin Fink

“Installing High-Performance Windows.” Architect Steve Baczek explains how the crew installed flangeless Makrowin windows by fastening the window jambs to the rough opening with long screws.

Siga Wigluv tape was used around the perimeter of each window to ensure that the installation was airtight as possible. Once each window was installed, the crew used a garden hose and sprayer to verify that the window was watertight.

Like all buildings, a Passivhaus is heated by three mechanisms: a heating system, solar heat gainIncrease in the amount of heat in a space, including heat transferred from outside (in the form of solar radiation) and heat generated within by people, lights, mechanical systems, and other sources. See heat loss. through windows, and internal gains from electrical appliances and body heat.

Windows should be located and sized to take advantage of winter sunlight. Ideally, windows should be high-quality units capable of retaining that energy for times when the sun isn't shining. That’s a tall order when you have 24 windows and three entry doors and your goal is a finished house with an air-leakage area that’s roughly the size of an index card.

This project specified flangeless Makrowin windows from Slovakia. The windows were installed as in-betweenies (rather than innies or outies). The crew used European air-sealing tape to make sure that the window installation was as airtight as possible.

Watch the video above; read the companion Fine Homebuilding article at right; and then join the conversation with the designer of this house, Architect Steve Baczek.

Over the course of the next several months — as each new issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine is released — this collection of articles and videos will cover: